Nucleation thermodynamics of quantum-dot formation in V-groove structures

The nucleation thermodynamics of quantum dots growth in the V-groove microscopic structure on the flat substrate by vapor phase deposition was studied, and it is proposed that the quantum dots can be formed in the designed microscopic structure by controlling the nucleation. Comparing the Gibbs free energies of the critical nuclei forming in the V-groove structure and on the flat, we found that the nuclei can form in the V-groove structure prior to the flat. Based on the V-groove structure trapping adatoms effect, the growth rate of the nuclei in the V-groove structure was calculated to be much larger than that of the nuclei on the flat upon vapor phase deposition.